Popular Lincolnshire Wildlife Park puma Nigel is settling in well to his new specially adapted enclosure to provide him with a sensory environment which the local attraction says is the “first of its kind in the UK”.
Nigel, who is now 10-years-old and has been seen in various TV documentaries and wildlife programmes, was rehomed to Lincolnshire Wildlife Park over six years ago with an eye condition that could eventually render him completely blind. He’s also on pain relief medication all the time, and the park’s team monitor him closely to ensure he has a full quality of life at all times.
Euthanasia is said to often be the first port of call in other parks for similar conditions, but Lincolnshire Wildlife Park’s CEO Steve Nichols didn’t want to see that happen and his team designed a custom built enclosure.
The enclosure cost in excess of £250,000 and was built with permanent ramps to help Nigel who also suffers from arthritis.
He’s been living in the new enclosure for a few weeks and it was officially opened at a special event on Monday, June 13.
Nigel enjoying life in the indoor area of his new enclosure. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Nigel’s new enclosure was officially opened by Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire William Webb on June 13, 2022. | Photo: Lincolnshire Wildlife Park
The indoor part of the enclosure. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Nigel also has a big area outside to roam around in. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Nigel chilling in his enclosure. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The event included special guests, chairs of Lincolnshire County Council and East Lindsey District Council, Lincolnshire Police & Crime Commissioner Marc Janes, and over 70 representatives and funders of Nigel’s enclosure. The new enclosure was officially opened by Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire William Webb.
The enclosure was funded by individual donations and the park’s ticket sales.
Andy Ferguson has a close bond with Nigel at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Zoo Manager Andy Ferguson told The Lincolnite: “He’s just a fabulous character, he’s one of our favourites as well.
“Nigel loves attention, people calling his name, people waving and saying hello to him, and he loves meowing back at them.”
Turtle Lake was also officially opened at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park on June 13, 2022. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Andy Ferguson is the Zoo Manager at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Monday also saw the official opening of Turtle Lake by King British, where various species of invasive 400 trachemys turtles will live.
They have been quarantined at the park since earlier this year and are now ready to move to their ‘forever home’, with the first 250 moving into the 25×25 metre lake on June 13. The lake is fitted with a waterfall and oxygenator for water quality benefits.
400 turtles will move into their ‘forever home’ at Turtle Lake at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park. | Photo: LWP
A design visual of the Wild4Learning facility which will be built at Lincolnshire Wilidfe Park. | Design: LWP
Wild4Learning was also launched at the event, which will see the development of a brand new concept building offering school and college students entrance to the park in order to “gain a fulfilling educational experience”.
CEO Steve Nichols said: “The team and I are saddened by the fact that many children – who are our next generation of conservationists, researchers, and animal carers – are missing out on amazing education experiences through financial constraints within education establishments and through personal finance. Wild4Learning is their dream.”
Wild4Learning will offer school and college students entrance to the park in order to “gain a fulfilling educational experience”. | Photo: LWP
See more of our gallery of Nigel and other animals at the park below:
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Lincolnshire Wildlife Park is located in Friskney in Lincolnshire. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
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An allegedly highly critical report about South Kesteven District Council will remain “secret” for another two months – taking it over a year since it was first received, a Freedom of Information Request has revealed.
The request, made by Phil Gadd on May 31, asked when the report – which was commissioned to review how decisions and scrutiny at the council worked – would be presented to the public.
The SKDC-commissioned review was carried out by the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny which was by an independent auditor. The request also confirmed the review cost £5,520 to produce.
In his request, Mr Gadd said: “The people of SKDC were promised open, honest & transparent governance.
“However, months later we are still denied the opportunity to see the results.”
SKDC’s response said “the final report will be published over the next couple of months, together with an action plan.”
It promised the document would be published “in its entirety with no redactions”.
“Work has been taking place to consider the recommendations contained within the review and develop an action plan for implementing areas recommended for improvement,” the authority added.
The report, received on August 31, 2021, was previously questioned after nearly nine months of being hidden by Independent Councillors Ashley Baxter and Phil Dilks in April.
If the FOI is correct, it could take the length of time since the report was received to over a year.
At the time, Councillor Baxter said: “Taxpayers deserve openness and transparency.
“That’s why I wanted to share the secret report with the press and public but was warned not to by the council’s monitoring officer.”
He said the report made “some positive comments” but added it “also highlights massive gaps”.
It is understood Councillor Baxter is continuing with his enquries following the latest request.
SKDC was asked for additional comment but a spokesman said it had “nothing to add to this”.
Night-time closures of Spalding Road, followed by a full closure of Enterprise Way, will start in mid-July.
Below is a list of upcoming traffic management relating to the ongoing Spalding Western Relief Road construction works*:
A week of night-time road closures on Spalding Road will start on Monday 18 July (subject to weather). These will be in place from 7pm to 6am for up to six evenings.
The diversion route for the Spalding Road closure will be via Spalding Road / B1180 / A16 / A151 / West Elloe Avenue / B1356, and vice versa.
A six-week 24/7 closure of Enterprise Way will be in place starting Friday 29 July.
Diversion route – Enterprise Way.
The diversion route for the Enterprise Way closure will be via Enterprise Way / Benner Road / B1180 / Spalding Road, and vice versa
An alternative route will be via Enterprise Way / Benner Road / B1180 / A16 / A151 / West Elloe Avenue (A151) / Pinchbeck Road / Spalding Road, and vice versa.
Temporary traffic signals near the new roundabout’s north and south tie-ins will be in place from Monday 11 July until early September.
Narrowed lanes on Spalding Road will remain in place until mid-September 2022.
*Please note all dates and times are subject to weather.
Karen Cassar, assistant director for highways, said: “As part of the ongoing construction of the northern section of Spalding’s new relief road, we will be implementing further traffic restrictions in the area so the team can get the new roundabout built.
“These closures and other traffic management measures will, no doubt, cause some disruption for the travelling public in and around Spalding and Pinchbeck – but we’ll be doing everything we can to keep this to minimum, including making sure there is clear diversion route signage out for drivers to follow during the road closures.”
“And Enterprise Way businesses concerned about how the closure will affect them are encouraged to contact Eurovia’s public liaison officer.”
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